The True Protagonist

In every world and in every tale, there's always a bird inside a cage. To them, that's their entire world. A world that was forced on them by destiny, however, can't stop them from desiring to escape the cage and explore the outside world.

Even if that cage was meant to protect them.

A silhouette stands in front of a tall wall in a corner of the mansion's vast land. It's a figure of a sole child with its whole body covered in glistening silver armor. Staring into the sky without saying a word.

As someone who's fated to protect the world, a child is born into a hero family. It can be called a life dream, but to one, it's nothing but an ill fate. a life full of fallacies and without freedom. In the life of the next hero, despite the fact that the people around the mansion are kind and loving, one can't be stopped from wanting to explore the outside world and meet other people.

The child hero points a sword at the sky. The sword was surrounded by white light, responding to its owner’s wish. Thrusting that sword into the air, it released the energy, propelling it to the sky. Though it's stopped midway, an invisible barrier covers the entire place. The attack produced a dim explosion before vanishing.

It's a barrier that was set by the hero's ancestor; it will prevent anything from going in or out. To protect the hero's family line at all costs. It's magic that can't be broken, especially for a child.

"In the end, I can't be free."

Leaving those words behind that contain grief, the child in armor walks and turns away from the wall. Slowly, with each step, the armor slowly vanished.

In the end, it's impossible for the bird to free itself from the cage.

Unless someone foolishly frees the bird from its cage.

A sound of shattering glass rang behind. Even though the barrier wasn't supposed to be broken, one didn't prevent the armor from disappearing. Through the eyes of the young hero, the crack in the sky was an ember of flickering hope.

.

Loud sounds reverberate as holes appear in the barrier. Despite that, a voice emerges behind it.

"You have never been a bird."

Someone who's avidly denying fate, whose existence deviated from the world.

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A few minutes earlier.

"Shit, a couple of days have already passed, but I still have a tingling sensation in my head." Holding my head with my right hand, I tread the way while I run my hand on the wall.

"That's what you get for getting overboard!" Master crossed her arms while floating beside me. "Do you know what can happen when someone has that kind of magic circuit? Mana can flow without a second!!"

"It's fine, Azazel; have good mana and affinity; it's a pity to let that go to waste."

"That's not the problem. He does have talent, and now that you help him, he can now utilize it! Moreover, you give him money and two of your own mana stones." Master blocked my way with a serious look on her face. "What if he turns out to be a threat in the future? The magic circuit you made for him made him an entirely new person."

"It's just an investment; I got a feeling he would be a great person in the future. Plus, he has a clean soul."

"That doesn't mean it will never change."

"If that were to happen, I'd take care of him myself, even if I'd have to end his life." I continue walking without looking back at Master.

Sensing that master turn silent, I noticed a grave look on her face. "Just kidding, you don't understand men, don't you, master?"

“What is that even supposed to mean?” She raises one of her brows, hiding her giggles behind her palm.

"We, men, tend to hold lifelong gratitude to our bros’ goodwill. We don’t just betray our homies.”

"You barely met him!"

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"That's why you wouldn't understand~" I chuckled, though making fun of my master was not a good thing. Before she gets mad, I tactfully pull the conversation away from the current topic.

"Now that I think about it, Master, neither Azazel nor the MC were able to perceive you."

"Well, I'm just an embodiment of myself made from my mana." Master laughed lightly before flying beside me. She licks her lips in a very suggestive way, locking me in with her moist eyes. "Don't that make you happy? You can have me for yourself."

"Yes, I'm really glad~" I smiled, nonchalantly nodding my head.

“Boooo~ react a little, would you..." she slammed down her shoulder before floating behind me.

Trust me, this is the right thing to do. Aside from the thing inside me, that could curse me. Master was a bright person with a lively personality. She tends to play a salacious character, but if I touch her, she'd be in tears….

Not that I did something before... But we've been together for a year; I know all of her skits.

"Are you sure this is the right way to meet the hero?" Master hugged me from behind before turning her gaze to the wall we had been striding beside.

"I'm not sure if it's the right way, but it's the only way." I breathed a laugh warily, recalling the complicated details. "Grams can't make an appointment with them because the Armogran family was too cautious.”

Holding the wall, I grin. "I'll meet the hero even if I destroy this wall."

"Though you need to locate the hero first, or else you might be caught by the guards first." Before moving away from my back, my master throws a snide remark.

That's true, and I also need to make sure the hero is alone. This wall in front of us was the one that separated me from the hero's home. It's far from the gate, where the guards were stationed, so it's a perfect place for reconnaissance.

"The barriers were also blocking my senses from reaching inside. I tried focusing, but I couldn't sense a thing."

"Unless the hero used strong magic, we wouldn't be able to sense any..."

Both of our attentions were caught by a dim sound like an explosion. It's without a doubt that someone's magic is hitting the barrier from inside.

""That's …""

Without wasting a moment, I enhanced my feet by jumping over the wall. I land on an invisible barrier that prevents me from going inside. It's like a tinted mirror that won't let me see what's inside.

Though I'm sure that there's only one person inside that place who will try to break the barrier.

"You're there, aren't you?"

I got all four on the barrier, and with a light assessment, I'm able to know what it is. It's an insanely powerful barrier, powered by both divine power and mana. As expected by the family blessed by the gods.

"It doesn't matter if it has divine power; I should be able to poke a hole in it."

Your life was like a bird inside a cage.

But

As the cracks emerge in the barrier, I enhance my hand to deal the final blow.

"You have never been a bird….. "

…….

…………………………………

It's something that was never meant to happen, but somehow I made it possible.

It's certainly a barrier of astronomical grade, as pieces fall apart before disintegrating in the air. At the same time, I'm falling with the same glass-like pieces of the barrier...

Does my entrance look cool? I thought, but...

"{Fuck}!! I can't fly!!!"

As I destroy my own footing without thinking, I'm about to belly-flop on the ground. The world seems to slow by, as I see Master already on the ground, waving her hand and waiting for my impact.

I wouldn't go down like this. I saw a figure running towards me. Strangely enough, this second, I forgot to use my mana to make an epic landing.

"Watch out!"

A soft voice reached my ears before the loud thud as I crashed down.

"Urghh, what?" There's no pain or anything, but I feel like something absorbs the impact.

"………."

A sudden event I never expected to make me silent. As soon as I opened my eyes, beautiful, brilliant golden eyes were silently staring directly into my eyes. There's almost no gap; any movement will cause contact.

Eyes devoid of any pain or panic despite what just happened. It's only filled with curiosity and hope. Though a soft smile emerged on that face, seeing that, I backed away in an instant, regaining my senses.

I pull myself to the side to get a better understanding of my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was the white light that was slowly disintegrating. Is that the magic that keeps me from hurting myself?

As I watched the light slowly fade, I realized the same eyes from earlier were now staring down at me. With the right distance, I finally got a full view of the owner through those eyes.

A petite young girl was standing in front of me; without a doubt, she was the same age as me. Smooth, pale skin behind a luxurious white dress with an intricate gold design. She has silver hair with a gold splash on it, paired with her eyes.

"Are you fine?" The girl in front of me held out her hand despite having an awkward tone.

Taking her hand, I rose from my feet. "I'm fine, thank you, but I should be the one asking that; I fall directly to you."

She likely shook her head. "I'm glad you're fine; you don't need to mind me. I used magic to absorb the impact."

Exquisite movement and admirable attitude. I don't need to ask to know that this girl was raised in a high-status family.

Standing face-to-face with her, I realized a very crucial thing. She's taller than me. Even with MC, I barely stand equal. But standing in front of her, I felt like I was lacking a few inches. Shit, did I also bring my height genes into this life?

While I'm thinking about that, the girl in front of me looks at me with eyes full of expectation.

Seeing that, I put my hand on my chest, lowering my back. "I'm Carus. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

I often act like a peasant, but I'm still living with a prestigious family. I know one or two etiquette rules.

"It's a pleasure meeting you." She was about to make the same posture I did but panicked midway. "Ahh, sorry…"

"I'm Luc..." She corrected her gesture, putting her hand in her dress before bowing. "I'm Licia Armogran."

After her stuttering introduction, Licia looked up and pointed at the now-fixed barrier. “How do you break through the barrier? It's supposed to be unbreakable."

Breaking things was my innate talent. I want to say that, but I just realized now that the barrier was already fixed. It's lived up to its glory.

I guess I should have chatted with her about that. After all, talking is the best way to get to know each other. But before I could say anything, the girl in front of me held her chest. Something like a fright, though closer to pain.

“Ummm, I’m Licia... Licia Armogran. Can you please get to know me as Licia?”

Just by her saying that, I once again realized what a disgusting world she would have to live in. I want to ask her: Would you be fine if I would change the path laid for you?

I can’t say that, do I? After a drawn-out sigh, I smiled at this pure child. "I only know you as Licia, nothing else. You’re always you. I see no one else~”

Like an innocent child, she grinned widely as light filled her eyes.

“Really? Ahh, right.” Flustered for a bit, she put her index finger over her lips, unable to contain her bright smile. “Shhh~can you keep this a secret?”

Maybe it was due to my past involvement, but a person I'm familiar with emerged behind her. It's the same girl I pitied years ago from the record. But unlike at that time, she had a split image of her young self. With the same gesture, mature Licia made a content expression that is never mentioned anywhere.

Perhaps a sign of trust? The invisible armor, which I hadn't even noticed till now, shattered along with that mystical sight.

I’ll not let you end alone.

…………………….

…………………………………..

We've had a few peaceful minutes of chatting before someone finally discovers me.

Men with pull-plate armor points arrive to surround us, pointing swords and guns directly at me.

"You dare to infiltrate the hero's mansion and get near the next hero of this generation! You shall pay with your life!!"

"Lady, Licia, get away from that boy!! He's dangerous!"

The reality, which is only known in the novel, is something that was supposed to remain hidden until the very end. The loathsome plot hole, the stupid plot twist without explanation till the end.

The hero of the novel, the true protagonist, is a young girl. It's none other than Licia...

The ill-fated girl...

"It took you long enough."